From Ponta d'Ouro to Zongoene: Dive Sites
Atlantis (aka Lego Land), Ponta d'Ouro |
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| Comments: | A lot of Operators use this site as one of their deep specialty dives. These types of dives require good skills in equalization, buoyancy and communication underwater (an area taken for granted, but often confused). Make sure your Instructor appreciates this |
| Distance From Launch: | 3km |
| Depth Range: | 28m - 57m. Avg.: 35m |
| Current: | Predominately strong in a north to south flow, this can swing 180 degs. on a weekly basis |
| Experience Level: | Advanced recognized. Here is not a place to take risks. Not done this type of thing before? Then get yourself armoured with the right info. Not always easy in a town where quantity is a guiding influence. Ask around; find those who have a good knowledge of not just this site, but deep diving in itself. Best policies here is to get; a detailed pre-dive profile, have experience deploying an SMB (Submersible Marker Buoy), and know your required gas redundancy and deco (decompression) obligation, as well as your buddy! If you don't understand what I've just said, then you are definitely not ready |
| Topography: | Large square boulders, with a sandy bottom. There also two drop offs and an over hang. Gorgonian Fans and Whips |
| Marine Life: | Like most places the Potato Bass is around somewhere. These in particular can be a feature; Eagle Rays, Spanish Dancers, White and Silver Tip Reef Sharks, Game Fish |
| Type of Water Entrance: | Roll back from RIB |
Doodles, Ponta d'Ouro |
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| Comments: | Located in the Ponta Bay. This is a famous P.d'O. (Ponta d'Ouro) dive with friendly Potato Bass and caves to investigate |
| Distance From Launch: | 1km or less |
| Depth Range: | 15m - 17m |
| Current: | Not usually |
| Experience Level: | Open Water divers with a few dives under their cap |
| Topography: | Scattered sink holes and caves |
| Marine Life: | Generally an abundance of fish including; Dusky Sweepers, Snappers, various Cleaner Shrimp, Lion Fish and Parrot Fish. These in particular can be a feature; Potato Bass, Paper Fish, Frog Fish, Ghost Pipe Fish (seasonal) |
| Type of Water Entrance: | Roll back from RIB |
Checkers, Ponta d'Ouro |
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| Comments: | Located in the Ponta Bay |
| Distance From Launch: | 5km. |
| Depth Range: | 15m - 18m. Avg.: 16m |
| Current: | Not usually |
| Experience Level: | Open Water divers with a few dives under their cap |
| Topography: | Large horseshoe shaped ridge |
| Marine Life: | Snappers, Morays, Turtles, Various Cleaner Shrimp, Clown Fish in Anemone's and Parrot Fish. These in particular can be a feature; Potato Bass, Pineapple Fish, Bat Fish, Golden Kingfish, Mantis Shrimp |
| Type of Water Entrance: | Roll back from RIB |
Steps, Ponta d'Ouro |
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| Comments: | A good drift dive, when there is current! These types of dives require good skills in equalization, buoyancy and communication underwater (an area taken for granted, but often confused at depth!). Make sure your Divemaster (DM)/Instructor appreciates this |
| Distance From Launch: | 6km |
| Depth Range: | 14m - 16m. Avg.: 15m |
| Current: | Predominately strong in a north to south flow |
| Experience Level: | Open Waters are allowed on this one, but Drift experience is definitely a benefit here, you'll see so much more if you can focus on the reef, rather than the diver your about to trash, not forgetting where your buddy is! |
| Topography: | Narrow reef with small scattered caves and overhangs, around 800m long |
| Marine Life: | Scattered schools of Snappers, Goldies, Red Fang Triggers, Moray Eels, Nudibranchs and Clown Fish |
| Type of Water Entrance: | Roll back from RIB |
Crèche, Ponta d'Ouro |
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| Comments: | Located in the Ponta Bay |
| Distance From Launch: | 6km |
| Depth Range: | 10m - 14m. Avg.: 11m |
| Current: | Not usually |
| Experience Level: | Open Water divers and those who feel like it's time to take the plunge! |
| Topography: | Two parallel ridges |
| Marine Life: | Blue Banded Snappers, Goldies, Chocolate Dips, Hermit Crabs, Scissor Fish, Egg Shell Cowries, Dusky Sweepers, Morays, Turtles, Clown Fish in Anemone's and Parrot Fish. These in particular can be a feature; Juvenile Fish, Paper Fish, Harlequin Shrimp, Frog Fish, Snake Eels |
| Type of Water Entrance: | Roll back from RIB |
3 Sisters, Ponta Malongane |
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| Comments: | Located off the Malongane Point |
| Distance From Launch: | 10km |
| Depth Range: | 19m - 26m. Avg.: 22m |
| Current: | Predominately north to south |
| Experience Level: | Advanced Open Water |
| Topography: | 3 large boulders with an overhang |
| Marine Life: | A cleaning station offers good Shrimp life, Surgeon Fish, Sea Goldies, Nudibranch Long Nose Hawk Fish, Garden Eels, Giant Honeycomb Moray, and yes the ubiquitous Potato Bass |
| Type of Water Entrance: | Roll back from RIB |
Aquarium, Malongane Bay (available from Ponta d'Ouro and Ponta Malongane) |
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| Comments: | This has been described as an underwater fish tank |
| Distance From Launch: | 2km from Malongane |
| Depth Range: | 18m - 26m. Avg.: 24m |
| Current: | Predominately north to south |
| Experience Level: | Advanced Open Water |
| Topography: | A solitary rock (with a lot of friends), has Gregorian Fans and Whip Coral |
| Marine Life: | A cleaning station with Shrimp, Sea Goldies, Nudibranch, Long Nose Hawk fish, Garden Eels, Rays, Morays, and Pipe Fish |
| Type of Water Entrance: | Roll back from RIB |
Kev's Ledge, Ponta Malongane |
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| Comments: | As the ridges are wide apart, and change depth slowly, good gauge and buddy attention is needed. With subtle depth changes, alterations to depth should be in a stable or reducing fashion, many are caught out here, staying at depth fighting current below the DM, between the ridges. Not staying close to your group (with the DM), can cause you to seesaw slowly over the topography and accumulate a large decompression stop, at greater depth air consumption is higher and you might well find yourself way below the gas pressure needed to stay safe. A slow ascent ideally with a line in a horizontal attitude and good buddy contact is the best way to end one of these dives. Don't be embarrassed about asking for air when you are very low. A rapid ascent is far worse than staring at your buddy, close up. |
| Distance From Launch: | 2km from Malongane |
| Depth Range: | 18m - 26m. Avg.: 24m |
| Current: | A common drift dive |
| Experience Level: | Advanced with knowledge of currents and personal gas consumption levels. Good skills in gauge and buddy awareness with the will to overcome low air syndrome! See previous dive site. Good for Multi-level training |
| Topography: | A series of ridges running parallel but raked, the outer one has an archway whilst the inner most is the longest and has a large ledge ending at a spot with several anchors |
| Marine Life: | This has a cleaning station, Turtles, Surgeon fish, Chocolate Dips, Mantis shrimp, Rays, Morays, and Seasonal Reef Sharks and Game Fish |
| Type of Water Entrance: | Roll back from RIB |
Bread Loaf, Ponta d'Ouro |
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| Comments: | An easy dive with the chance of seeing Reef sharks |
| Distance From Launch: | 1km |
| Depth Range: | 8m - 15m. Avg.: 12m |
| Current: | Predominately north to south |
| Experience Level: | Open Water |
| Topography: | Coral garden dive on rugged topography with vast amounts of plate coral |
| Marine Life: | Seasonal Reef Sharks, Angel Fish, Chocolate Dips, Red Fang Triggers, Hermit Crabs, Moray Eels and Snappers |
| Type of Water Entrance: | Roll back from RIB |
Bass City, Ponta Mamoli |
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| Comments: | Appropriately named with the number of Potato Bass and Basslet varieties found, Bass City is an awesome dive loved by those wanting to see plenty of fish. A series of five rocky outcrops covered with forms of algae, this reef attracts an unrivalled amount of marine life - an absolute delight in terms of the biodiversity. The star attraction is a big Potato Bass who accompanies divers down to the reef and remains with them for the duration of the dive, lapping up the special attention. Devil Fire Fish or Lion Fish and Eels are everywhere and on the sand an amazing quantity and wide variety of Rays - Honeycomb, Round Ribbontails, Brown Stingrays, Marbled Electric, and Blue Spotted etc. Baitfish and Dusky Sweepers swarm like bees sometimes making it difficult to see any reef below and an intriguing array of small creatures tug at the imagination of the macro fanatics. Cute juvenile Boxfish in bright yellow with black spots, Garden Eels, Tropical Flounders slithering along the sand, Shrimp cleaner stations aplenty, Frog Fish, Pipe Fish, Red Anemones and Leaf Fish to name but a few, make for an exceptionally interesting dive for the naturalist addicts. A special highlight is the most unusual Harlequin Shrimp with 'sandwich packed' Starfish close at hand to snack on. Leopard Shark and the occasional Zambezi have been sighted and large Speckled Snappers and Blue Emperors cruise in the distance. The reaction of the majority of divers returning to the surface following a dive here on a good day is 'Wow!' Ponta Mamoli choose to dive this site later in the morning as it is a very popular dive site and is frequently dived many operators, first thing |
| Distance From Launch: | 3.37km from Ponta Mamoli |
| Depth Range: | 17m - 24m. Avg.: 20m |
| Current: | Predominately strong in a north to south flow, this can swing 180 degs. on a weekly basis |
| Experience Level: | Advanced recognized. Great for photography. N.B. Many divers believe a camera gives them a reason to clamber over the reef, 'for just the right shot', what they forget; is their perfect picture will be all that is left. Imagine a world where you go to the museum to see what is was like to dive!? |
| Topography: | 7 separate boulders varying in size, with sand all around them. There are 4 that are focused upon. Lots of tiny overhangs with all sorts utilizing them as homes |
| Marine Life: | These in particular can be a feature; Juvenile Angel Fish, Pipe Fish, Seahorses, Devil Fire Fish, Lion Fish, Dusky Sweepers, Nudibranchs, Marble Rays and Moray Eels. Many Potato Bass are seen here with one in particular being extremely friendly and following you on the whole dive. Makes you wonder if these aren't being fed, they are renowned for being very interactive with divers and are divers are prone to the temptation, to cajole them, by feeding, this is a bad practice as natural feeding habits are altered and the fish become reliant on divers, there have been reports, in the Barrier Reef - Australia, of fish attacking divers for food, this is type of occurrence is unknown in areas where feeding is not practised |
| Type of Water Entrance: | Roll back from RIB |
Pinnacles, Ponta Malongane (available from Ponta d'Ouro, Ponta Malongane and Ponta Mamoli) |
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| Comments: | This is one of the furthest sites dived by the P.d'O. operators, but is much closer for Ponta Malongane and Ponta Mamoli. Expect the unexpected - the motto for an unsurpassed deep blue dive in good conditions on the famous Southern Mozambiquan Pinnacles - divided into the north and south sections. Unmistakably a dive of extremes and an adrenalin rush for seasoned divers seeking Shark encounters, where mostly during the summer month's big schools of Hammerheads are a frequent occurrence along with Zambezi and the occasional Tiger Shark. The shy Brindle Bass, Potato Bass, Big Eels, Rays and an abundance of pelagics further compliment the scene. Pinnacles is one of the few reefs where the Palette Surgeonfish is resident and is often sighted close to the giant Gorgonea on the Northern Pinnacle. A slow multi-level ascent can reveal the unexpected - squadrons of Devil Rays performing aquatic acrobatics in perfect unison, Eagle Rays gliding effortlessly by and for the really fortunate the odd Marlin! Like sparkling jewels in striking electric blue, stunningly beautiful Sapphirina and a fascinating spectrum of 'Pollywogs' (our term for the out of space looking creatures - thanks Mamoli) - otherwise known as Comb Jellies and Bioplankton in it's many forms, keep divers riveted right to final surfacing. Late afternoon pre-sunset dives to the Pinnacles are exhilarating and invariably well rewarded with massive shoals of pelagics and pulsating shark activity - not for the faint hearted! |
| Distance From Launch: | from Ponta Mamoli it's 6.39km |
| Depth Range: | 28m - 42m. Avg.: 35m |
| Current: | With the option to dive Pinnacles in either direction, this is invariably a drift dive in mid water. |
| Experience Level: | Advanced recognized. Here is not a place to take risks. Not done this thing before then get yourself armoured with the right info. Not always easy in a town where the quantity is a guiding influence. Ask around, find those who have a good knowledge of not just this site, but deep diving in itself and take smaller groups. Best policy here is get a detailed pre-dive profile; know your required gas redundancy and deco obligation, as well as your buddy's name! If you don't understand what I've just said, then you are definitely not ready. |
| Topography: | Two pinnacles in a north - south direction. |
| Marine Life: | Like most places the Bass is around somewhere, both the Potato and Brindle hangout here. Schools of Hammerheads can be seen along with Zambezi and the occasional Tiger Shark. Palette Surgeonfish are resident here. Devil Rays, Eagle Rays, and the odd Marlin! |
| Type of Water Entrance: | Roll back from RIB |
Playground, Ponta Mamoli. |
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| Comments: | Extraordinarily rich in diversity with abundant marine life, Playground is a pearl offering an idyllic shallow dive - a real treat in good conditions. The central focus is a large cave, which provides the perfect resting place for pregnant female Ragged Tooth Sharks during the months of December to March. |
| Distance From Launch: | 800m |
| Depth Range: | 8m - 12m. |
| Current: | Predominately a north to south flow. Generally not a strong current. |
| Experience Level: | Open Water divers and up will love this site. |
| Topography: | Central cave, rock cavities and tunnels. |
| Marine Life: | Aggregations of Fusiliers, Big Eye Stumpnose, Soldierfish and Baardman abound, with big Chubbs darting in and out of rock cavities and tunnels. Huge unmistakable Honeycomb Stingrays, Sand Sharks and Nurse Sharks often visit the reef together with King Fish and King Mackerel. For macro connoisseurs, a myriad of fascinating invertebrates including the master of disguise (the Octopus), plus an impressive variety of colourful Nudibranchs, Eggshell Cowries with their yellow and white star speckled black mantles, Anemones with host Clown Fish and Giant Clams are numerous. Coral formations, both hard and soft, are plentiful. An excellent choice for a night dive. |
| Type of Water Entrance: | Roll back from RIB |
Idols, Ponta Mamoli. |
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| Comments: | Adjacent and slightly out to sea of Playground, Idols is a series of rocky outcrops interlaced with sand patches where a variety of Rays are invariably encountered. Noteworthy are the numbers of Blaasops, Pufferfish and oversized Porcupine fish foraging for food. Idols is a rewarding slow drift dive - best performed in a north south current. A perfect selection when only wanting to take a short boat journey. |
| Distance From Launch: | 1km |
| Depth Range: | 12m - 15m. |
| Current: | predominately a north to south flow, this can swing 180 degs. on a weekly basis. |
| Experience Level: | Open Water and above. |
| Topography: | Rocky outcrops interlaced with sand patches. The northern section of the reef is characterized by interesting topography and plenty of fish. |
| Marine Life: | Red Fang Triggers and their pompous relatives the Clown Trigger Fish (including if you are fortunate enough, the rarely seen juvenile). Solitary King Fish have been seen taking shelter in a small cave and Potato Bass circle inquisitively in mid water in the surrounding environment. Blaasops, Pufferfish and oversized Porcupine Fish. |
| Type of Water Entrance: | Roll back from RIB. |
Amphitheatre, Ponta Mamoli. |
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| Comments: | A sand patch encircled by coral and rocky walls with ledges and crevices and inhabited by groups of Big Eye Barenose creates the impression of being in an aquatic amphitheatre, a site with particular appeal to macro fundis. Reef life is rich with prolific corals and an intriguing spectrum of invertebrates. This is Goby and Partner Shrimp territory where focused divers will be richly rewarded with a wonderful demonstration of the special relationship between these two creatures. Recently guest divers painstakingly photographed a particular Goby, which was subsequently declared a new world record and a brand new species to science by world renowned experts. Trumpet Fish are reasonably common with all the Angelfish species and Juvenile Emperor Angelfish. For the sharp eye, sightings of painted Anglerfish, Leaf fish and Scorpion Fish have been recorded. Long-range drift options from the Amphitheatre are numerous in moderate to strong currents. Devil rays and Mantas have joined divers on the ascent process on occasion. |
| Distance From Launch: | 5.29km |
| Depth Range: | 15m - 19m. |
| Current: | Predominately strong in a north to south flow, this can swing 180 degs. on a weekly basis. |
| Experience Level: | Open water divers with drift experience, if the current is strong. |
| Topography: | A sand patch encircled by coral and rocky walls with ledges and crevices. |
| Marine Life: | Big Eye Barenose, Goby and Partner Shrimp, Trumpet Fish, Angelfish species and Juvenile Emperor Angelfish. For the sharp eye, sightings of painted Anglerfish, Leaf Fish and Scorpion Fish have been recorded. Devil rays and Mantas have joined divers on the ascent process on occasion. |
| Type of Water Entrance: | Roll back from RIB. |
Deep Purple, Ponta Mamoli. |
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| Comments: | A new discovery, this deep finger-like rocky reef with sandy alcoves and small ledges is aptly characterized by purple sea fans and hosts a multitude of fish life. In surgy conditions Deep purple is a good option. |
| Distance From Launch: | 5.4km. |
| Depth Range: | 20m - 28m. |
| Current: | North to south. |
| Experience Level: | Advanced with drift experience. |
| Topography: | Deep finger-like rocky reef with sandy alcoves and small ledges |
| Marine Life: | Rock Salmon, Snappers, Triggers, and Lizardfish. Devil Fire Fish and Potato Bass with rare sightings of the uncommon Mauritius Scorpionfish. Generally eels are abundant on this reef. |
| Type of Water Entrance: | Roll back from RIB. |
Mushroom, Ponta Mamoli. |
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| Comments: | A variety of indwellers to gaze upon in awe and wonder typifies this beautiful reef. Enormous plate corals, turbine corals with 'fields' of Staghorn and Leather corals all in immaculate condition create the backdrop to this scenically spectacular shallow reef. Highly rated drift dive with a North to South Current. |
| Distance From Launch: | 4.13km |
| Depth Range: | 8m - 14m. |
| Current: | North to south |
| Experience Level: | Advanced recognized with drift experience |
| Topography: | Stunningly exquisite structures created by billions of tiny jelly like polyps joined together in colonies and built up over thousands of years, forming a magnificent coral city of the sea. Jutting pinnacle rocks and an impressive 'Mushroom' formation are interspersed with gulleys and overhangs. |
| Marine Life: | Flame Goatfish and Snappers grace the setting with King Fish often forming a solid cylinder around the lucky divers. Painted Rock Lobsters, Clams and a plenitude of Anemones inhabited by aggressively defensive Two Bar and Nose Striped Anemone Fish adds to the appeal of this unspoilt reef. |
| Type of Water Entrance: | Roll back from RIB. |
Paradise, Ponta Mamoli. |
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| Comments: | A prudent selection of extensive reef for an easy and relaxed 'settling in' dive particularly when a strong current is prevalent. Paradise is situated next to an expansive sand patch - the ideal option for perfecting peak performance buoyancy. The shy Blue Razor Wrasse is frequently sighted in this area. Of note is the number of diriment Butterfly Fish species that can be observed. Turtles and Rays predictably take refuge in the protected potholes where Cleaner Shrimp stations are found with two huge resident Honeycomb Moray Eels. Paradise rock attracts a wide selection of fish species, see below. |
| Distance From Launch: | 4.2km |
| Depth Range: | 10m - 14m. |
| Current: | Depending on the direction of current, which is usually north-south or vice-versa, exploring the paradise surrounds gives you a number of options for scintillating long-range drifts dives. |
| Experience Level: | Open Water with drift experience for when the current is strong and you intend to drift. |
| Topography: | Rising out of the sand is a ridge followed by an amazing reef system that never appears to end. Moving out to sea, divers are engulfed in coral paradise with rugged topography - towers, holes and overhangs adorned with an impressive array of invertebrates and fish. |
| Marine Life: | Cleaner Shrimp, Blue Razor Wrasse, Honeycomb Moray Eels, Turtles, Rays, Sea Goldies, Rubberlips, Lemonfish, Peacock and Coral Rockcod. Divers have previously had an unforgettable encounter with a very friendly Whale Shark! |
| Type of Water Entrance: | Roll back from RIB. |
G Spot, Ponta Mamoli. |
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| Comments: | Frequently raved about by vesting divers, Yellow and Blue Banded Snappers and intermingling schooling Coachman suspended in liquid space mark the spot, 'Scorpionfish Alley' - coral covered rocky outcrops, home to large masterfully concealed Scorpion and Diamond Eyed Paper Fish. Black Cheek Moray Eels are common residents. The southern amphitheater predictably harbours Potato Bass and a conglomeration of Surgeon Fish schooling under an overhanging ledge. Rays, including graceful Eagle Rays, Nurse Sharks and Turtles are frequently encountered. An underwater canvas of colour, contrast and magnificence, G Spot is a world class dive and seldom disappoints! Best dived when there is a minimal current to allow for slow focused exploration in the process of discovery. Highly recommended. |
| Distance From Launch: | 7.5km |
| Depth Range: | 16m - 24m. |
| Current: | Predominately strong in a north to south direction. |
| Experience Level: | Advanced Open Water recommended. |
| Topography: | G Spot is an exquisite dive site comprising of two large amphitheatres carved into the reef and interlinked by a richly abundant section referred to as 'Scorpionfish Alley'. |
| Marine Life: | Hundreds of Sea Goldies a mass over a variety of vividly colourer fleshy soft corals and mid water teems with Brushtooth Butterflyfish, Redfang and Black Triggefish schools of Unicorns. Black Cheek Moray Eels, Diamond Eyed Paperfish. |
| Type of Water Entrance: | Roll back from RIB. |
Boulders, Ponta Mamoli. |
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| Comments: | Boulders is one of a kind and a portrait of serenity, tranquility and fascination. The underwater world in all it's glory! A 'forest' of giant yellow tree like branched corals topped with waving Feather Stars and interspersed with bright purple Sea Fans and coral twigs never fails to impress divers. Sightings of the rare Longnose Hawkfish are almost guaranteed. The overhead liquid mass boasts schooling fish of great variety, kaleidoscopic shapes and sizes, silhouetted against light filtrating from the surface in clear conditioned. Special mention includes the Malabar Bass, easily confused with the Potato Bass, enormous Honeycomb Moray Eels and Marbled Electric Rays aplenty. A ship's anchor and length of chain adds to the mystique of this exceptional dive, best executed in a north to south current to allow for a slow gradual ascent as you glide gracefully uphill to compete the dive on G spot. Not to be missed by Advanced qualified divers. |
| Distance From Launch: | 7.82km |
| Depth Range: | 30m. |
| Current: | North to south. |
| Experience Level: | Advanced recognized and above. |
| Topography: | Distinguished by large boulder type rocks rising out of flat sandy bottom resembling an asparagus patch. |
| Marine Life: | Garden eels, Longnose Hawkfish, Malabar Bass, Honeycomb Moray Eels, Marbled Electric Rays. |
| Type of Water Entrance: | Roll back from RIB. |
